VII

Bella let her forehead fall against the cool stone and exhaled deeply.

The warm steam of the shower was supposed to help clear her head and airways, but it was doing the opposite of what she'd hoped. Finally being alone with no other sounds except water drumming against her back and trickling down the drain, she was able to reflect on all that'd happened to her in the past few hours and how her future would forever be altered by one horrible, horrible decision.

It was hard finding a way out of a terrible situation when she didn't know at what point she entered one. Should she have listened to her gut and exited the tunnels before the tour group entered the ancient castle, or should she have talked Mike out of it altogether when he'd suggested it? The pinch between her ribs dug deeper at the assumption of what would've happened if Mike hadn't gotten sick at the last minute.

Would he have died like everyone else, screaming and trying to escape a horrific death of being drained alive? She wouldn't have been able to face any of their friends again if that'd occurred. They wouldn't know the truth of what happened to him – nobody would. Mike Newton would've become one of those many faces that went missing after visiting a foreign country. Some guys from their school would probably joke that he met and ran off with a beautiful Italian girl in an attempt to help cover the pain of his absence.

Only Bella would know the truth…. And it would eat her alive.

Despite how long she'd been in the shower the water never seemed to lose its warmth, making it hard it judge just how long she'd been sulking. She knew she was given a time limit before she had to leave the castle and find Mike, but she didn't want to go anywhere. Once she stepped foot out of the shower then the plan that those vampire "Kings" made would be set in motion.

She wasn't quite sure of the details but she'd gotten the gist of it when King Marcus had disclosed her of it as he led them to the private guest chambers to clean up. She had to bite her tongue the entire walk to keep from snapping how unfair it was and that she didn't want anything to do with King Caius. The silver-haired King wouldn't have liked that very much; especially since he'd been walking in-between her and the other King the entire time.

The low tapping on the bathroom door caused Bella to flinch and seize up. She stared wide-eyed through the steam at the door, praying it wasn't who she thought it was.

"Lady Isabella? I have been sent to ask that you begin dressing. The Masters' have instructed that I assist you to make up for the time that has been misappropriated."

Bella tried to think what accent she was hearing in the woman's words. Eastern European, perhaps? Slavic?

"You're not one of them, are you?" she said over the running water. "The…you know."

"I am human, dear, if that is what you ask."

Her heart still didn't slow at the statement. If that was so, then why was a human working in a castle of vampires? Were they keeping her as a meal to have when they grew hungry, or was she a slave? She was also curious about the young woman who worked near the castles entrance.

Bella turned the nozzle and shut the water off. Opening the glass door she snatched her towel and securely wrapped it around chest.

"Is it just you? No one else?" If one of the kings happened to be waiting in the bedroom then there was no way she ever exiting the false security of the bathroom.

There was a short pause.

"Would you rather have Master Caius in my place? He is standing guard outside the bedroom doors-"

"NO!"

She knew Caius most likely heard her harsh denial but she didn't care. Best that he knew now that she didn't want him anywhere near her when it came to bathing and dressing.

Bella took a deep breath and tightened the plush towel around her. Whether she wanted to or not she was going to have to leave the privacy of the bathroom and reenter the nightmare that was now her life.

"I'm coming out." She said then heard the woman's retreating footsteps from the door.

The cool air of the guest bedroom rushed in around her as soon as she cracked the double doors open She shivered and felt her skin prickle immediately. The woman who'd spoken to her with the strange accent was standing by the grand wardrobe with several articles of clothing thrown over her arm. Bella glanced around the room to make sure it was just the two of them before she ventured out.

The stone floor felt freezing as she padded across the room to stand by the lit fireplace. She listened to it crackle in silence as the heat warmed up the lengths of her skin that weren't covered by the towel.

"Master Marcus recommended that you should dress in what appeals to your taste. I am selecting outfits that I believe you will be comfortable in as you continue to explore the town."

Bella turned her head and watched as the woman set all of the clothes she'd selected from the wardrobe onto the bed. From where she was standing they all looked dark in color, and the suggestion of her finding anything that was being shelved to wear in an ancient castle inhabited by vampires "appealing" seemed ridiculous.

The woman faced Bella and gave her a warm, polite smile and beckoned her closer.

"Come now, dear. The Masters are waiting."

Bella slowly approached the bedside and glanced at all the clothes laid out neatly on the sheets. It shocked her to see how normal and modern some of the garments appeared. With one hand she reached out and ran her fingers over a dark green sweater that caught her eye.

Next to her the woman grinned.

"That is one of my favorites. It is sewn of very fine thread that lays gentle and velvety against the skin. I recommend hanging it out to dry or else it will shrink in the dryer."

Bella removed her fingers from the sweaters smooth surface and turned to the foreign woman.

"Wait. These are yours? You're letting me take your things?"

The older woman flashed a smile and Bella inwardly gaped in wonder at the spectacle. How was she able to make such a carefree expression when she worked for vampires? Did she really feel that secure here or was it all an act to make her feel more relaxed? After everything Bella had been through she'd put her money on the latter.

"Yes," she gave small smile. "This is my room. The Masters did not want your scent to be spread beyond the human servants wing."

Bella didn't know what to say.

It made her curious and disgusted at the same time to think there was an entire wing of people trapped in the castle. Were they working in such an environment willingly? Were they aware that these vampires lured other humans into the castle to eat alive? Were they all promised immortally?

As much as Bella wanted to ask the woman about the circumstances of her employment with the three vampire kings she didn't. There had to be more to it all.

"You should get dressed. I will comb my wardrobe for a pair of shoes while you do so. US women's size 7, yes?"

"Um, yeah. How did you know?"

"I checked the label of your ruined tennis shoes before they and the rest of your ruined clothes were disposed of."

Bella frowned. She'd been told that they would try and clean her clothes the best they could, but she should've known that'd been a lie. They could've at least been up front with her about it.

"Everything?" Bella pressed.

The woman frowned, seemingly sympathetic. "I am sorry. I was told to hand over your clothes as soon as you undressed. If a certain garment was important to you, I am sure Master Caius will have it retrieved for-"

"No, they weren't special or anything. I just wish they'd told me is all. You'd think I'd be used to this sort of thing – having my belongings taken and being lied to by a bunch of vampires."

The woman didn't say anything and Bella didn't bother to wait to see as she grabbed the green sweater, a nude colored bra and matching underwear and the only pair of blue jeans and left to change in the privacy of the bathroom.

After she closed and locked the door, Bella slowly lowered herself onto the ground. Exhausted and overcome with the loss of the average life she worked so hard to adjust to again, she buried her face into the soft fabric of the stranger's sweater and took several deep breaths. She was aware that she had to get dressed and leave the room soon.

She accepted that, but she didn't want to.

She just wanted to go home.

Bella found herself back in front of the fireplace, seated in a plush rose-colored chair and lost in thought as she worked through the tangles in her long hair. The servant, whose name she'd learned to be Elisabeta, was kneeled on the rug before her, tying her new shoes. Thankfully Elisabeta had shoes other than heels and boots hiding away in her closet for Bella to wear.

"You are nervous." Elisabeta said over the crackling of the fire.

Bella stopped sweeping the brush through her hair and looked down. Elisabeta had apparently finished knotting the shoe's laces but remained kneeling.

"I am." Bella said softly, because there was no hiding it. Her hands would quiver every so often and Elisabeta had been kind enough to feign obliviousness.

"I am too, but for a different reason."

"What's yours?" Bella asked.

Elisabeta turned to face the fire. "The Volturi kings do not leave the castle walls or the city often, but when they do they are always together – the three kings. And the royal guardsmen that accompany them become their wall. For Master Caius to leave his brothers, home, and guard behind to travel with you…"

"You're worried something'll happen to him? That he'll be attacked for being on his own?" Bella concluded.

"If only the basis for my burden were that simply put," Elisabeta smiled and stood to sit herself in the chair across from Bella. "His majesty can handle whatever awaits him out there, he has no equal when it comes to combat."

"You mean killing?"

"Violence does not always lead to death."

Bella's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. She wasn't getting it. "If he can take care of himself just fine then what's the problem? If anyone's in trouble out there then it's me."

"Precisely. You see, dear, King Caius possesses great power and is known for his extraordinary control over it. For any of the kings to physically confront someone is extremely rare, especially for King Caius."

Elisabeta gave Bella a hard, contemplative look as if willing her to understand so she wouldn't have to explain in further detail. Bella glanced down at her hands and strung and unstrung her fingers together. Images of the ashen haired King snarling and fighting before her eyes in the throne room played out again in her mind. Bella knew she was never going to forget the sound of marble splitting, humans screaming, and feet slipping through warm blood. Never again would a stretch of silence pass where she wouldn't faintly hear the noises of what occurred in that room. Those ghostly echoes would haunt her dreams for a long time.

And King Caius had been the one to instigate the true calamity of it all. A King. A King who Elisabeta said never engaged in any sort of physical aggression because of his position of authority. A King hailed for his impressive control amongst those of his race. A King Elisabeta seemed to admire enough to serve. And yet, Bella saw a side of that King that went against everything she was being told.

Was Elisabeta trying to make up for King Caius's actions? Was she trying to convince her that the King wouldn't hurt her like he did to those in the throne room? Or…

Bella's eyes widened as a horrible, horrible implication started to creep its way into her already troubled thoughts.

Could it be that she was the true instigator of it all? Was it her who prompted King Caius into that fit of rage, resulting in the loss of the steeled control that he was acclaimed for? Was it her fault that he attacked his own coven? His own race?

Bella's eyes shot back to Elisabeta who had a forlorn expression on her beautiful face.

"He lost control because of me, didn't he?" Bella whispered in disdain.

Elisabeta's face said it all. Bella sunk further into the chair and closed her eyes. She didn't want to believe that this ancient, powerful vampire would lash out at anyone who threatened her. He had attacked his own coven. What would he do to a human then? Someone who he thought lesser of and held no significant meaning to him other than a source of food?

"But why? Why me? King Aro said something about me being his brother's mate, but I never agreed to that. I don't understand what's going on or why I was the only one spared."

"King Caius didn't choose you either. Vampires do not get to select their mates, or any other supernatural being as far as I am aware."

"There's more?" Bella cut in, eyes wide.

Elisabeta grinned. "You are discovering a great deal of secrets in a single eveing, I do not think it would be wise to try and absorb more. I am sure King Caius will inform you of other secrets as you grow accustomed to this change in your life."

Bella bit her tongue from saying that she already knew about vampires and that back home she was a friend to a few not-so-average teenage boys who were able to shape shift into giant wolves.

"Honestly, I'm more nervous about the idea of having a soulmate and being tied to someone for life than learning that vampires exist." Bella confessed.

Elisabeta gave her a perplexed stare. "What an odd thing for a young girl to say. I thought someone your age would love the idea of having a soul mate?"

"A younger, more naïve version of me would've been, yeah." Bella mumbled, thinking about Edward and how she thought they'd be together forever. At least he had more control over his temper.

"You had your heart broken." Elisabeta said softly, her hazel gaze knowing. And in an odd way, it reminded Bella of her mom.

"I was the only one who thought we'd remain together, especially after everything we'd been through. Such a typical high school girl's presumption on love, huh?"

"I am sorry, dear."

Bella shook her head. "I'm not. It's made me more realistic about what to expect in a relationship. There's no such thing in forever, you know? Even my parents didn't see a future where they'd remain together."

Elisabeta was quiet while Bella wondered why she just shared what she did with the older woman. She hated that Edward left such an impact on her. She used to be such a secret romantic before he came into her life. Now having a relationship seemed more like a chore, and Bella didn't have time to balance unnecessary young romance while she had school to focus on. Getting into a college was her top priority.

A few light knocks on the door ended the stillness between them. Elisabeta stood first, taking a few steps away before she stopped.

"You may have had a grim experience with love in the past, but I ask that you do not give up on it just yet."

"You want me to give your master a chance?" Bella asked, perplexed and frustrated by the suggestion.

"No," Elisabeta turned to meet her stare. "You must try for the sake of healing your own heart. You are so young and have much to discover through experience, but that involves using your heart and taking risks. You entered this castle along with many others and how many of them were allowed to leave? To return home and embrace their loved ones? Take advantage of what the others could not. You're still alive, so live."

Bella didn't respond. Instead, she slowly stood from the chair and stared into the fireplace, wishing she could remain unbothered for a few minutes more while she tried to absorb all that she gathered from her conversation with Elisabeta. Behind her she could hear the woman conversing to someone at the door. They had yet to enter the room and approach, making Bella believe that maybe Elisabeta knew she needed a moment to herself.

Hesitantly Bella raised a hand to her chest and rested it over her thumping heart. It beat rapidly. She knew Edward caused her heart enough pain to last for a long, long time, but was the damage more severe than what she originally thought? The looks Elisabeta kept giving her made it seem like she pitied her, and Bella wasn't quite sure how that made her feel or if she deserved it.

"Lady Isabella?"

Bella turned and was surprised to see King Marcus standing in the doorway with Elisabeta closely to his right. She knew Elisabeta was older than her, but seeing the woman stand next to Marcus really added a few extra years to her appearance. The thin lines around her mouth and hugging the corner of her eyes were more obvious than before.

Her attention shifted from the pair to the person hovering behind them. King Caius was positioned behind King Marcus, his body sideways as if he torn between entering the room or remaining guard out in the hall.

"How are your new clothes? I've always regarded Elisabeta's awareness of fashion to be smart yet practical." King Marcus slowly glided into the room, his long cape flowing loosely at his ankles.

Bella was about to respond before a low, rumbling came from the doorway. King Caius was glaring at King Marcus, his upper lip drawn up.

The brunette vampire stopped advancing towards her but the smile on his pale, young face didn't waver.

"Comfortable?" the King asked.

Bella shifted her weight from one foot to another, as if testing the feel of Elisabeta's clothes on her body. "They're fine. A lot nicer than my old ones. My friends will notice."

"What will you tell them?" he inquired.

Bella shrugged, because she honestly hadn't thought about an explanation. "Stopped by a castle gift shop?"

Elisabeta out-right laughed but was quick to cover her mouth with a hand while King Marcus grinned and turned to the woman next to him, seeming to find more enjoyment in her cheeriness. Was Elisabeta the same to King Marcus what Bella supposedly was to King Caius? Was the older woman King Marcus's mate?

"Is that how you deem my clothes, lady Isabella? Gift shop quality?" Elisabeta teased.

Bella's face reddened as she considered how her poor theory must've sounded. "I didn't mean it like that. Sorry." she stated, flustered. "It's just what came to mind first."

"The situation you are in is quite traumatic, dear girl. You need not be so self-conscious." King Marcus chortled. "Elisabeta and I have taken all the necessary precautions and clipped any loose ends. The arrangements for your departure are already in motion. Please," he gestured to the chair behind her. "sit."

She slowly lowered herself into the chair, cautiously eyeing the king that stood several feet from her. Elisabeta's heels clicked on stone before she too sat herself properly in the chair across from Bella.

"By 'clipped any loose ends' you don't mean you killed someone, right?" Bella couldn't help but ask, because that's normally what that expression meant.

"After today I imagine we all have had our fill for quite some time." King Marcus said, not realizing how drastically off-putting those words sounded coming from a vampire.

"Violence," Elisabeta clarified after witnessing the look of horror in Bella's eyes.

"Ok…" Bella breathed loudly in relief. "So no one else is dead because of me. Good. That's… good."

Elisabeta frowned and glanced up at her young vampire master standing to the chairs left side. King Marcus had his thick, dark eyebrows scrunched together in a thoughtful way.

"Dear Isabella, why assume such a dark notion? You hold no responsibly for any of the deaths that accrued today." King Marcus said.

Bella sighed. "Look, I just don't want anybody else dying. I know I won't be forgetting what happened in the throne room for a long time. I…I don't know how any sane person could walk away normally after seeing that…" she stopped because the more she said it aloud the more it started materialize behind her eyelids with every blink.

How was she going to move past what she'd seen?

"I saw people die." She suddenly blurted, "Drained of their blood. A young girl was ripped from my arms and I could do nothing. Nothing. I…" her breath caught in her throat and she realized she was on the verge of another breakdown. She thought she'd cried enough in the shower but apparently not.

The anxiety started out as a small ball in her chest, but like the snowball affect it grew the longer she let it roll and build within her. Now it felt as if it was racing down a steep slope with her at the bottom directly in its line of collision. She unconsciously dug her fingers into her thighs, trying to divert the pounding in her chest with the stinging in her leg.

"Marcus." A hard, stern voice growled from close behind her.

In a flash the vampire and Elisabeta were gone from the room. The door slammed shut and Bella didn't have to turn around to know she was alone in the room with King Caius.

"Isabella…"

Bella froze in her seat. The king was kneeling on the ground in front of her, his crimson gaze focused on her. Her eyes traced down to his slightly parted lips and she could actually hear his soft breaths.

"Breathe." He said with a composed expression.

She watched him skeptically but took in a large, shaky breath of air.

"I..." she stopped and shook her head.

"I know." He replied despite her lack of vocalization. "I understand."

"No, you don't." she whimpered, angrily. "I don't want this life. I can't do it again."

The king was quiet for a view moments before he reached up and grabbed both of her hands in his. They were rough, like the hands of a man who worked outdoors all his life. She didn't know vampires could have rough skin.

"Look at me, Isabella." He insisted and she obeyed. His eye color had at one point morphed into a dark auburn. "Whatever happened in your past will not befall you again. I promise."

"He also promised."

"He was not your mate. I will not abandon you. While you may no longer believe in forever, I do."

"And if I don't want forever?" she whispered.

His eyes narrowed, and Bella couldn't tell if he was angry or confused.

"I will respect that." He said slowly, as if the words were hard to say aloud and didn't quite sound right to his own ears.

He held her gaze while he slowly lifted her hands and kissed her knuckles. Her heart didn't respond nor did she blush. She didn't see the action as a romantic notion. To her it seemed as though he was sealing a promise.

But in the end, he was still a vampire and a man she didn't know. She didn't love him and she wasn't too sure she even liked him. Romance with him was the last thing on her mind at the moment or in their future. She didn't know how she was going to get used to the idea of him following her around her whole life.

"Tell me what it means to be mated." She asked, wanting to change the conversation now that her anxiety was passing.

King Caius ran his thumbs over her knuckles. "I understand you did not speak of this at length with Elisabeta. She did not think it wise and I agree. For now, we will reframe from that discussion. But I promise to explain when you've had time to rest."

But Bella wasn't ready to let it go just yet. She wanted to know what she was getting into before a powerful, ancient vampire followed her out into the world.

"You attacked your guard because of me, right? Were you protecting me? Did you know then that we were mates?"

He frowned. "I do not wish to speak of this now."

"I think I have a right to know."

"There will be a more appropriate time."

"You're not going to do that again, are you? I want to know my friends and family will be safe from you." Bella insisted.

The king's eyes became a cold, crimson again. He let go of Bella's hands and stood up, towering over her.

"Because of time we do not have the privilege for this drivel exchange. Later I'll entertain you, but for now we have no reason to linger if you're in control of your emotions again."

Bella was stunned by his change in attitude. It was just like what she'd witnessed in the hall earlier. "Fine, but don't think this is over. If I'm to be damned for the rest of my life then I want to know the full extent of it."

Bella didn't look at him as she got up from her chair and walked around him to exit out through the doors. She could feel his icy gaze on her but she didn't let herself look back out of fear and her own stubbornness.

She wasn't comfortable looking into his eyes or being so close to the ancient vampire. She couldn't think properly around him and it made her angry, resulting in their heated, unprogressive discussions. From their short moments alone together Bella observed that King Caius acted more cold and aloof when his eyes were red. She knew that vampire's eyes changed based on their level of hunger, but did it also reflect their inner disposition? Was that King Caius's gift?

Bella wasn't surprised to find King Marcus and Elisabeta waiting on the other side of the door once she excited the bedroom. She knew King Marcus heard everything that was said in the room, but his face didn't show it. He just presented her with a kind, subtle smile. Elisabeta, however, appeared concerned and curious as to what happened after King Caius kicked them out.

"It is time that your leave us, dear girl." King Marcus said as if he was actually sad to see her go. He glanced to Elisabeta and the woman stepped forward to hand Bella her cleaned cell phone. "Elisabeta and I will walk with you and Caius to the tunnels. The groups tour guide, Heidi, will meet us there and escort the two of you out."

Bella hung on tightly to her phone and nodded. "And my friend?"

"Come," the king instructed. "I will explain as we walk."

Bella followed closely to Elisabeta as they started down the hall to their right. She wasn't comfortable being so close yet to another vampire, especially the kind that drank from humans.

"It would be quicker if we ran." King Caius offered from behind.

"Yeah, for you vampires." Bella turned her head over her shoulder and glared at the ashen haired King.

"I would carry you of course but I suspect my offer would be met with fierce resistance."

"I'm surprised you actually would've asked and not just manhandled me like how I've been treated so far here." Bella said.

King Marcus cleared his throat to regain their attention.

"Brother Caius is right, but we do not want to do anything that will make you uncomfortable."

"Too late for that…" Bella mumbled.

"Dear child, there is much we regret exposing to you today." King Marcus said. "You will be leaving this castle as a significantly different girl from the one who arrived. The world will appear the same to the eye, but you will know the truth. You will know that vampires live and feed amongst you."

"Where are you going with this, Marcus?" King Caius rumbled in an agitated tone.

Bella glanced back and forth between the kings but didn't interrupt. She was curious to hear what Marcus was saying.

The brunette king sighed and turned to look down at Bella. "I understand if you detest the customs of this coven after what you went through, and I will not try to persuade you to our ways, but you must know that we are on your side. You are apart of this coven now, Isabella, whether you agree to it or not. And again I am sorry that this is forced upon you."

"But I'm not a vampire." Bella responded, dazed "I don't want to be a vampire."

"Nor do you need to be to be under the protection of the Volturi. You are mated to one of the coven's kings. In our world, you are almost that of royalty."

"Never agreed on being anyone's mate." Bella said.

"Whether Caius remains at your side or not, the Volturi will not abandon you."

Bella nodded numbly. "Someone's always going to be watching. Making sure I don't tell your secret."

"It is not your vow we do not trust." King Marcus stopped walking and turned to face her. His hard expression made Bella uneasy. She glanced to King Caius and noted how he took a step toward her, his eyes flicking back and forth between her and the other vampire in the hall.

"The Volturi punish those who break our laws, and we are not known for being generous with second chances. It may appear harsh to outsiders but we haven't remained veiled to the eyes of the outside by operating with leniency. A great deal of sacrifices have been made, and not everyone agrees with what we must pay to remain as we are."

"You have enemies." Bella apprehended what he was trying to convey. It didn't surprise her, but she kept her mind from trying to come with a number of how many lives the Volturi put to an end over the course of their existence.

"There are always those who oppose the party that governs them."

"And you're afraid they'll come after me to use against Caius or the Volturi as a whole?"

"Only if they were to learn of you, which we have taken means to make sure that does not happen. Our world considers Caius to be without a mate and for both your sakes I firmly believe it should stay that way. For now, at least."

Bella nodded and she and Marcus turned to Caius who wore a frustrated expression. He seemed to be having some inner conflict.

"The high guards?" he asked, looking to Marcus.

"Opposed from Elisabeta, Heidi, Jane and Felix all the remaining guards are none the wiser of her importance other than… I am certain you fathom what I cannot term audibly. Your secret remains with us and will not leave these castle walls. Do you agree with these measures, brother?"

"I do."

"Isabella?" Marcus asked.

"So I'm to act like we don't have any sort of connection whatsoever? Yeah, I think I can agree to those terms."

Caius frowned. "Your ability to misinterpret other's words is remarkable."

Bella didn't respond and left the vampires behind to catch up to Elisabeta. Marcus lifted a hand and firmly gripped his brother's shoulder encouragingly.

"Don't." Caius warned.

Marcus raised an inquisitive brow.

"Whatever ridiculous comment I know you wish to make regarding love or some other sentimental nonsense - don't."

Marcus chuckled. "Already have love on the brain, brother?"

The ashen haired king roughly shook his brother's hand from his shoulder and stormed forward.

"A compatible match, indeed."